Dáil Sketch:Seldom is wonderful. So yesterday, a good news day was celebrated in the Dáil, writes Miriam Lord
A smug-looking Enda Kenny arrived carrying his personal copy of Anne Enright's prize-winning novel. He placed it, in full view, on the ledge beside his speaking notes. Inda is not normally in the habit of bringing his recreational reading material into the chamber. But he did yesterday. Show off.
Inda caressed the covers of his new book, before rising to ask about uninsured drivers.
Now, Bertie may bumble and mumble in that harmless but likeable way of his, but he misses nothing.
So instead of immediately addressing the Fine Gael leader's question, he began by issuing his "warmest congratulations" to Enright for her wonderful achievement in winning the Man Booker Prize.
As the Taoiseach waxed lyrical, Sean Barrett's thoughts also turned to literary matters. The FG TD could see a future in the writing game for Bertie. "Your day might come when you write your memoirs," he called across the floor.
The Taoiseach switched on a dangerous grin.
Then, with memories of the Mahon tribunal still fresh, an opposition voice piped up that Bertie's memoirs could be his great "work of fiction". But the boss wasn't going to be annoyed by anyone, for this was a sunny morning and he was in the best of form. In fact, Bertie's humour has been steadily improving since those torrid opening weeks of the new Dáil.
"If Deputy Barrett buys it, I'll be happy," rasped Bertie.
Speaking of happiness, there was no sign of Beverley Flynn in her usual seat. On Tuesday evening, she took her place beside Independent Finian McGrath, both full of the joys. Finian hasn't stopped smiling since he negotiated his big post-election deal with the Taoiseach. Bev, on the other hand, seemed in particular high spirits.
Mind you, she appeared to be toting another new handbag - something guaranteed to cheer up most women. This latest model, with its many gold clasps and buckles and rivets, looks like a pirate's treasure chest with shoulder straps.
Maybe she was in good form because her local FF organisation in Mayo was about to debate her return to the party, after many lonely years in the wilderness, spent rubbing shoulders with her erstwhile colleagues and voting for the Government.
Bev wasn't around for the first vote yesterday afternoon. Maybe the unrepentant Mayo deputy is waiting until she can vote once more with the party that expelled her.
Then news broke just before midday that Archbishop Sean Brady got the red hat. More "warmest congratulations" from Bertie, on this happiest of days.
The best wishes flowed. First from the late Richard Burton, who has been resurrected by the new Leas Ceann Comhairle recently and is called upon to speak every time Fine Gael's Richard Bruton wants to make a contribution.
Richard Burton was standing in for Indakinny, who presumably had to rush off to finish reading his book.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore added his congratulations, as did Eamon Ryan of the Green Party, Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and FG deputy for Cavan Monaghan Seymour Crawford, who may be Church of Ireland but knows a "a proud son of Cavan" when he sees one.
"We are greatly pleased by the honour that has been bestowed on him," said a delighted Seymour.
However, in the course of these tributes, Richard Burton let Indakinny's literary cat out of the bag.
Having paid tribute to the new cardinal, Deputy Bruton/Burton decided to go for a two for the price of one option.
"While I'm on my feet, I recognise the achievement of the novelist Anne Enright, whose novel, which I have read, was kindly sent to us all." What's that? "Kindly sent to us all?" You mean, Inda got it for nothing? Then we remembered. Two weeks ago, when The Gatheringmade the Man Booker shortlist, the Arts Council sent a complimentary copy of the book to all members of the Oireachtas.
Then it scooped the big prize. There'll be a lot of speed reading going on in Leinster House over the next few days.